Beginner Class

Ages 6 to 13, 1-hour group session

After completing the introductory private lesson, students begin training in our Beginner Class.

The Beginner Level is designed to build a strong foundation in fencing. Students learn and improve proper fencing stance, footwork, lunges, weapon control, target work, basic drills, and begin learning the rules and concepts of foil fencing.

We offer four Beginner classes throughout the week, giving families flexibility to choose training days that work best with their schedule.

A typical Beginner class includes:

• Running and athletic exercises
• Stretching and warm-up
• Fencing footwork
• Target work
• Technical and partner drills
• Fencing bouts at the end of class

Much of the development at the Beginner Level is individual. Every athlete learns and progresses at a different pace, so advancement depends on the student’s technique, understanding, consistency, focus, and ability to apply what they learn.

During partner drills and fencing, we match students with partners and opponents of a similar level whenever possible. This allows us to have a wider age range within the Beginner Class while still keeping the training appropriate and productive for each student.

At this level, the most important factor is the athlete’s individual development rather than age alone.

As students become technically prepared, understand the fundamentals, and are ready to train more consistently, they can be promoted to our Intermediate 1.

The Beginner Class gives students the foundation, confidence, and training habits they need for the next stage of their fencing development.

Intermediate 1

Ages vary by readiness, 90-minute weekday sessions + 2-hour Saturday session

Intermediate 1 is the transition from our Beginner program into more structured and competitive fencing. Students entering this level already understand the basic fencing stance, footwork, lunges, distance, and weapon control. At Intermediate 1, they begin learning how to apply those fundamentals with electric foils and electronic scoring equipment.

Training becomes more technical and structured than at the Beginner level. Fencers spend more time on partner drills, blade work, distance and timing, combinations of actions, tactical decision-making, and a deeper understanding of fencing rules, priority, penalties, and competition procedures.

The Intermediate 1 program offers up to three training sessions per week:

• Two 90-minute Intermediate 1 sessions focused on technical development, footwork, partner drills, tactics, and electric fencing.
• One 2-hour Saturday session combined with Intermediate 2, focused primarily on fencing bouts, tactical application, and competition experience.

Saturday training is designed to maximize bout experience. Fencers have more time to fence different opponents, apply techniques and tactics under pressure, practice electronic scoring, and gain experience in situations that are closer to actual competition.

Intermediate 1 students are required to train a minimum of two times per week and may choose either two or three weekly sessions.

The goal of Intermediate 1 is to bridge the gap between learning the fundamentals and becoming a competitive fencer. As students develop stronger technique, tactical understanding, consistency, and competition readiness, they may advance to Intermediate 2.

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Intermediate 2

Ages vary by readiness, 90-minute weekday sessions + 2-hour Saturday session

Intermediate 2 is the next competitive level after Intermediate 1. At this stage, students have developed a solid technical foundation, understand electric fencing and competition procedures, and are ready to make a stronger commitment to their development as competitive fencers.

At the Intermediate 2 level, the team begins traveling to competitions and gaining experience outside the academy. Fencers are expected to train consistently, take regular private lessons, and be ready to make fencing a priority. Progress at this level requires commitment, discipline, focus, and consistent training.

Training becomes more advanced and detailed. Fencers continue improving their footwork and blade control while developing a wider variety of attacks, defensive actions, parries, counterattacks, combinations, and tactical solutions. Students learn not only how to perform an action, but when and why to use it against different opponents.

Fencers also develop a deeper understanding of competition rules, priority, distance, timing, bout management, and fencing psychology. We work on recognizing opponents’ habits, adapting tactics during a bout, controlling emotions under pressure, making better decisions, and developing an individual fencing style.

The Intermediate 2 program includes three training sessions per week: two 90-minute Intermediate 2 sessions and one 2-hour Saturday session. On Saturdays, Intermediate 2 trains together with Intermediate 1 and the Teen & Adult Development group. This combined session places a strong emphasis on fencing bouts, giving athletes the opportunity to fence a wider variety of opponents, apply different tactics, develop adaptability, and gain valuable competition-style experience.

Our goal at Intermediate 2 is to train harder, fence with greater quality and purpose, travel and compete as a team, and continue developing each athlete toward the Advanced level.

Teen & Adult Development Program

Ages 14 and up — Beginners are welcome

The Teen & Adult Development Program is designed for teens and adults of all experience levels, including complete beginners. Whether your goal is to learn fencing for fun, stay active, develop your skills, or prepare for competition, we build the training process around your individual goals and experience.

Complete beginners are welcome. New fencers usually begin with additional private lessons so they can learn the fundamentals at their own pace, catch up with the group, and feel more comfortable and confident during group training.

The program offers two 90-minute Teen & Adult group classes during the week, with the opportunity to add a 2-hour Saturday training session together with our Intermediate groups. Saturday training provides additional time for drills and fencing bouts with a wider variety of partners.

Training includes footwork, partner drills, blade work, technical and tactical exercises, distance and timing, fencing rules, and supervised bouts. As students develop, we introduce more advanced techniques and tactical concepts based on their individual level and progress.

Competition is optional and depends on each fencer’s goals. Some students choose to train recreationally, while others train and compete at local, regional, and national events. For those interested in competition, we help develop the technical, tactical, physical, and mental skills needed to prepare for tournaments.

We understand that every student learns at a different pace. Our coaching approach is individualized within the group environment, allowing each fencer to progress at a pace that fits their experience, ability, commitment, and personal goals.

Most importantly, we are proud of the friendly and supportive environment in our Teen & Adult program. Come try a class, meet the group, and experience the atmosphere for yourself. Our goal is to make every student feel welcome while helping them become a stronger and more confident fencer.